Rare is the unhappy college football coach, or even fan base for that matter, on National Signing Day.

Coaches are happy because they believe they have filled needs. Hard-core fans are happy because they have followed the recruiting hype. Athletes and parents are happy because going to college just became real.

This excitement, though, eventually gives way to reality.

A signing class that looked so good on the first Wednesday in February may not look so good five years down the road when a better evaluation can be made.

Here is how area FBS programs fared with their Class of 2012 recruits.

What was said then: “It’s always been about the needs of our team. I can remember in 2008 we did not have a top 10-ranked recruiting class, and this year would have been that senior group. We won the conference. We won 13 games. We played in the final game and that would not have fit what was the national rank of that class. What it really amounts to is that we invest in these guys and we train them. They fit the need and this is a great class. This is the style of class that will continue to allow us to do what we have done here in the past, and that is winning championships.” — Then-LSU coach Les Miles.

How it looks now: The composite ranking had LSU No. 14 in the country. Those players who were fifth-year seniors in 2016 ended their careers ranked No. 14 in USA Today’s Amway Coaches poll. And Miles was wrong, the class didn’t win any SEC West, SEC or national championships in their time in Baton Rouge. Individually, several players have gone on to NFL careers including Kwon Alexander (Tampa Bay), Vadal Alexander (Oakland), Dillon Gordon (Philadelphia), Hill (Cincinnati), Hunter (Minnesota), Deion Jones (Atlanta), Jalen Mills (Minnesota), and Jerald Hawkins (Pittsburgh).

What was said then: “What we try to do every year is sign a complete football team, so for us it’s about signing a quarterback, running back and five offensive linemen. We try to sign a full team and in some years you are limited in numbers. This year, we were limited in numbers but a great class. Every coach here feels great about our class. All of the signees are great kids and great players. Most importantly, they fit into our program. That’s one of the main things you look for when recruiting.” — Then Louisiana Tech coach Sonny Dykes.

How it looks now: It looks like a major whiff for the recruiting analysts. This class finished with three consecutive nine-win seasons and three consecutive bowl victories. Tech was 40-25 over the five seasons. Individually, Dixon (Baltimore), Barnes (Detroit) and Brice (Green Bay) all reached the NFL. And then there is the Vernon Butler, who was a part of this class as a two-star recruit. He left Louisiana Tech as a first-round NFL draft pick.

What was said then: “We focused on finding the athletes that give us multiple opportunities to put them on the field, which includes special teams. Overall this group looks like Division I athletes when they walk into the room.” — Then-ULM coach Todd Berry.

How it looks now: There weren’t as many great athletes in the class as Berry would have liked, which may explain why he is no longer the Warhawks’ head coach. Individually, Savage moved to the offensive line and was a second-team All-Sun Belt Conference and second-team All-Louisiana selection this past season. Wide receiver Ajalen Holley was an honorable-mention All-Sun Belt Conference pick in 2016 and a second-team All-Sun Belt pick in 2014.